Closure construction for containers



June 20, 1961 D. D. OVERTON 2,989,219

CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION FOR CONTAINERS Filed March 17, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @2 1 +5 in I I I m u I I I I Z /\./I 5

3 M I B DOLPH D. OVEETON INVENTOR Y aia baui hlwgb ATTORNEYS June 20, 1961 D. D. OVERTON CLOSURE CONSTRUCTION FOR CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1959 58 INVENTOR Down D. OvE To BY atmfifi 4' W ATTORNEYS 2,989,219 l atented June 20, 1961 United States Patent Office This invention relates to a closure construction for a container and more particularly to a closure construction for closing the ends of large capacity tubular bodies formed from sheet material such as paperboard, fiberboard, or the like so' as to form containers of the type suitable for filling with materials such as tobacco, felt, and the like.

-In the manufacture of containers of relatively large capacity, it is highly desirable to provide a construction for these containers which will permit them to be easily collapsed or disassembled for shipment from the place of manufacture to the user or between any other desired two points. As can be understood, to ship such containers fully assembled in the empty condition would allow the shipment of only a few containers at a time in such transportation facilities as box cars, trucks, and

the like, as a result of the large amount of shipping space which would be required. Furthermore, the larger the assembled container, the greater the shipping space required and it is essential from a cost standpoint that extremely large capacity containers such as those containers generally referred to as hogsheads" employed to store tobacco and similar materials be constructed for easy disassembly for shipment and ready assembly at the point of utilization.

' Generally speaking, these large capacity containers or hogsheads are provided with a body formed from an elongated strip of easily folded material suitably joined at the free ends to form a tubular body open at each end. These open ends are arranged to be closed by means of fiat wooden end covers or heads which are arranged to be positioned in end closing relationship with the tubular body and held therein by suitable sealing means. Thus, the fiberboard from which the tubular body is formed permits theseparate body to be folded into a substantially flat condition and shipped in a stacked relationship with a plurality of similarly folded bodies together with a plurality of stacked heads to be used with the bodies in a minimum of shipping space and at a relatively low 'cost. In this manner a large quantity of such component parts may be shipped together for ready assembly into containers ready for filling.

' 'It can be understood that with the large quantities of such containers, particularly in the case of hogsheads, which are utilized throughout industry, it is highly desirable that the end covers or heads be arranged for easy positioning in end closing relationship with the tubu lar body of the container in a minimum of time and with relatively little skill so as to permit the closure assembly to be rapidly but properly carried out. In addition, in thecase of tobacco hogshead periodic inspections must be made of the tobacco therein so that complicated and inadequate closure constructions only add to the cost of such inspections from the standpoint of both time and labor involved.

' Sealing arrangements are generally provided on present day closure constructions for such containers which are designed with these objectives in mind. but which in many cases are extremely complicated in construction, require many additional parts, which are relatively weak,'and which do not always adequately maintain the head in the proper end closing position. Furthermore, in the construction of such containers, particularly those containers of relatively large capacity such as tobacco hogsheads, the material, particularly tobacco, is often packed into the container under pressure and when the head is subsequently positioned in end closing relationship with the tubular body, considerable pressure is exerted on the head by the compressed tobacco tending to dislodge the head from the end closing position within the tubular body. The problem of maintaining the head in the end closing relationship with the tubular body is therefore magnified when the tubular body is constructed of materials such as fiberboard which is relatively weak and -is limited as to the amount of strength available for holding the heads in the end closing position.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel closure construction for a container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel closure construction for positioning the end covers or heads in sealing relationship with the ends of a container having a body composed of material such as fiberboard or the like which is filled with tobacco or similar material.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel closure construction for a container having a tubular body composed of fiberboard or the like and heads for closing the open ends of the tubular body in which portions of the tubular body are utilized to seal the end covers or heads in end closing relationship with the tubular body.

' This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novel closure construction for a collapsible container having a tubular body composed of fiberboard or the like and open at each end in which portions of the tubular body cooperate with rigid end covers or heads positioned in end closing relationship with the tubular body to take full advantage of the strength of the fiberboard in maintaining the heads in end closing position regardless of pressure exerted on either side of the head.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel closure construction for a collapsible container which is simple and light in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, composed of a minimum number of parts, is characterized by outstanding strength and ruggedness and is capable of assembly and disassembly an indefinite number of times without deterioration to thereby permit continuous reuse of the container.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel hogshead for storing tobacco which is readily collapsible to permit shipment within a minimum of space with an attendent decrease in shipping cost, which may be readily assembled into a form for filling with tobacco, and which permits the tobacco to be stuffed and sealed therein under considerable pressure without danger of collapse of the container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel closure construction for a collapsible container which permits a sealed container filled with material to be easily handled during shipment, storage and the like by conventional handling and loading devices without damage to the container or risk of the container collapsing.

Briefly, the objects of the invention and other related objects are accomplished by providing a tubular body which is preferably formed from a light material such as paperboard, fiberboard or the like. The tubular body is open at each end and an end cover or head of rigid material such as wood is arranged to be positioned within each end of the tubular body with its peripheral edge in close-fitting relationship with the inner wall of the tubular body to thereby close the tubular body. In order to seal the heads in the end closing position, end edge portions are provided on the tubular body. The end edge portions are preferably formed integrally with the tubular body and are arranged to be moved between a releasing position extending radially outward from the inner wall of said tubular body to permit thehead to be positioned in the end closing position with its peripheral edge in close-fitting relationship with theinner wall of the body and a locking position extending radially inward from the body inner wall to prevent movement of the head from the end closing position. Means are also provided on the container for securing the end edge portions in the head locking position.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a tubular body for a container constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view, partly in section, of a novel end cover or head for use with the tubular body of FlGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevation view partially broken away of an assembled container constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, partial, sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIGURE 3 but showing the parts in an intermediate stage of assembly;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 taken substantially along 5--5 of FIGURE 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a partial, sectional view generally similar to FIGURE 5 of an assembled container illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIGURES 1-5;

FIGURE 7 is an isometric view of an assembled container partially broken away illustrating a second modification of the invention; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken sub stantially along line 88 of FIGURE 7 in the direction of the arrows illustrating a second modification of the invention but showing on the left the closure construction at an intermediate stage of assembly.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIGURE 1 in particular, there is shown a tubular body designated generally by the numeral 11 which, in the specific embodiment illustrated, is formed from relatively inexpensive, foldable material such as paperboard, fiberboard, and the like. In the formation of the tubular body 11, sheet fiberboard is cut to an appropriate length and the free ends of the sheet material are interconnected by means such as staples 12 to form a joint designated generally by the numeral 13. The length of thesheet material for the body 11 is selected in accordance with the container capacity desired, and, as will be described hereinafter, the body 11 may be constructed in diameters up to 48 inches and more to form containers such as those commonly referred to as hogsheads used to store tobacco and similar materials.

As explained above, containers of the type to which this invention is directed are preferably of the collapsible type so as to permit the component parts of a plurality of containers to be arranged into a neat stacked relationship and thereby minimize the space required for shipment. To this end, the fiberboard tubular body 11 is compressed or scored along longitudinally extending lines 14 which are uniformly spaced circumferentially on the tubular body 11 so as to give a polygonal cross-sectional shape to the body and permit the body to be folded into a flat condition for stacking with similar other bodies for shipment. It should be understood that by providing a polygonal cross-section, the folding of the body is facilitated and the body may be readily opened up into a generally circular cross-sectional shape for assembly into a container.

The body 11 therefore contains an inner wall 15 and an outer wall 16 and when opened into the tubular form is open at each end as shown in FIGURE 1. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, a closure construction constructed in accordance with the-invention is provided for closing-eachendi For thepurpose of'clarity, the closure 4 constructions of the invention will be described in conjunction with only one end of the body 11, namely the upper end 17 as viewed in FIGURE 1, but it should be understood that a similar closure construction is also utilized in the other open end of the body.

As generally illustrative of the invention, a pair of end covers or heads designated generally in FIGURE 2 by the numeral 18, are provided for closing the open ends of the body 11 and form the container shown in FIGURE 3 which has been designated generally by the numeral '19. As shown in FIGURE 2, the head 18 is preferably of circular shape having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the body 11 and may be formed from a plurality of wooden planks 21 suitably secured together or formed in a one piece construction from material such as plywood or the like. The head 18 is arranged to be telescopically inserted within the open end 17 of the tubular body 11 in an end closing position with its peripheral edge 22 in close-fitting relationship with the inner wall 15 of the body 11 as shown best in FIGURES 4 and 5.

As specifically illustrative of the invention, locking means are provided for locking the head 18 in the end closing position on the tubular body 11. The locking means comprise end edge portions on the tubular body 11 movable into a releasing position for permitting insertion of the head 18 into the container closing position within the body open end 17 and a locking position for locking the head in the end closing position. More specifically, as shownin FIGURE 1, flaps 23 are formed on each end of the tubular body 11. These flaps 23 are preferably formed integral with the body 11 by slitting or slotting the tubular body 11 along the ends of the score lines 14 to form radially spaced slots 24 which are therefore uniformly spaced circumferentially on the body 11 to form a plurality of substantially identical flaps 23. The flaps 23 are therefore composed of the fiberboard material of which the body 11 is composed.

In order to form the locking means for the head, the flaps '23 are arranged to be folded inwardly along uniformly spaced, substantially parallel fold lines 26. In the preferred embodiment, as shown clearly in FIGURE 4, each of the flaps 23 is folded along the fold lines 26 in a four ply relationship to form a thick flap assembly 28 which extends radially into the tubular body 11 as shown in FIGURE 1. The flap assembly 28 is thus provided with an outer wall 29 which is a continuation of the body outer wall 16. In order to facilitate the folding of the flaps 23 along the fold lines 26, the lines 26 are preferably formed'by cutting into the outer surface of the fiberboard material of the flaps 23 for a limited distance so as to permit a breaking" of the flap material as it is folded as shown in FIGURES 4, 5. Suitable means are provided for securing the flap assembly 28 in its folded condition and, as shown, staples 31 are preferably used.

In order to permit insertion of the head 18 into the open end 17 of the tubular body 11 in the end closing position, the flap assemblies 28 are arranged to be moved into a releasing position which is shown best in FIGURE 4. To this end, a fold line 32 is provided at the bottom of each fiap at its junction with the body, extending substantially parallel with the fold lines 26. As can be seen, the depth of the slots 24 is selected so that the fold lines 32 extend generally through the bight of the slots and therefore permit the flap assemblies 28 to be pivoted radially outward as shown in FIGURE 4 so as to provide clearance for the head 18 when it is to be positioned in the end closing position. The fiberboard material is preferably not cut along the fold line 32 but is creased or scored in any suitable manner to facilitate the pivotal movement of the flap assembly 28.

Means are provided for retaining the locking means in the locking position. More specifically, a marginal rim or flange 36 is provided which, in the specific em bodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2,. is of reverse 5- shape cross-sectionally and is separately formed from rigid material such as metal and the like. Preferably, the flange 36 is formed from metallic strip material such as extruded aluminum or the like and as shown in FIG- URE 4, the flange 36 contains a U-shaped upper recess 37 having an outer vertical wall 38 and an oppositely opening, U-shaped lower recess 39 having an outer vertical wall 41 and arranged to snugly accommodate the peripheral edge 22 of the head 18.

In order to mount the flange 36 on the head 18, the flange is bent or otherwise formed into the annular form of FIGURE 2 with its lower recess 39 snugly receiving the head peripheral edge-22 as shown. As will be explained hereinafter, the upper recess 37 is suitably dimensioned so as to snugly accommodate the flap assemblies 28. The free ends of the flange 36 are positioned in abuting relationship and are interconnected in any suitable manner such as by riveting, welding, or the like to form a joint 42. Thus, as shown best in FIG- URES 4, 5 when the head 18 is positioned in the end closing position within the tubular body 11, the vertical wall 41 of the flange 36 snugly engages the body inner wall 15.

As has been previously explained, the folded tubular body 11 and heads 18 are flat to permit shipment or storage in a minimum of space. When the parts are to be assembled into a container for filling, the tubular body 11 having the flap assemblies 28 formed thereon is opened up into the arrangement of FIGURE 1. When the container is in the form of a hogshead for filling with tobacco, one open end of the body is closed with a head and the body inverted so as to permit loading with tobacco in the well known manner. The other end is then closed. In the description to follow, the positioning of a head subsequent to the filling of the container with tobacco will be described.

In order to permit the head 18 to be inserted in the container closing position in the open end 17 of the body 11, the flap assemblies 28 are pivoted radially outward along the score line 32 to the releasing position of FIG- URE 4. The head 18 is then inserted into the end 17 of the tubular body 11 and its marginal flange 36 tightly engages the inner wall 15 of the body. Each of the flap assemblies 28 are then moved radially inward in the direction of the arrow I into the recess 37 on the flange 36 so that each is snugly positioned therein in a head locking position as shown in FIGURE 5. The depth and height of the recess 37 is selected so that when the flap assemblies 28 are in the locking position of FIGURE 5, the outer wall 29 of the flap assembly 28 is substantially flush with the outer wall 16 of the tubular body 11. It can be seen that the flap assemblies 28 nested within the flange recess 37 securely hold the head 18 against dislodgement from the closing position.

The retaining means for securing the flap assemblies 28 in the locking position of FIGURE 5 also include a strap or band 43 positioned around the outer wall 16 of the body 11 as shown in FIGURE 3 which is fixedly secured in the binding position by suitable means such as deformable clasp 44-. As has been explained above, the identical closure construction is utilized to close the other end of the tubular body 11 as shown in FIGURE 3 prior to filling the container with material such as tobacco and the like. When the container 19 is to be opened for inspection of its contents or for other reasons, the strap 43 is removed and the flap assemblies 28 are pivoted outwardly to the releasing position of FIG- URE 4 so that the head 18 may be easily withdrawn.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, there is showna modification of the embodiment of FIGURES 1-5 and like numerals have been used to identify like parts. As shown in FIGURE 6, a head 46 is provided having a peripheral edge 47 on which is positioned a marginal flange 48 in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGURES The marginal flange 48v which is preferably formed from metal or the like contains oppositely extending, U-shaped recesses 49, 51 which are positioned in a backto-back relationship on a common center line with the inwardly facing recess 49 arranged to snugly accommodate the peripheral edge 47 of the head 46. As 'in the embodiment of FIGURES 1-5, the outwardly facing recess 51 is suitably dimensioned so as to snugly accommodate the flap assemblies 28 on the tubular body 11 when the head 46 is positioned in the end closing relationship within the tubular body 11. A strap 43 is also used to retain the flap assemblies 28 in the locking position of FIGURE 6 so that the flap assemblies prevent the head 46 from being dislodged from the container closing position of FIGURE 6.

Referring now to FIGURES 7, 8, there is shown a second modification of the invention wherein also like numbers have been used to identify like parts. As shown in FIGURE 8, a head 54 having a peripheral edg'e 5,6 is provided for closing each end of the container body'l'l and the metal marginal flange of the embodiments of FIGURES 1-6 is not utilized.

In this embodiment, the diameter of the head 54 is selected so that the head peripheral edge 56 snugly engages the inner Wall 15 of the tubular body 11 when the head 54 is positioned in the end closing position as shown in FIGURE 8. In order to retain the flap assemblies 28 in the locking position, an upstanding annular flange 57, which is formed-from material such as ,wood or the like, is secured by means such as nails 58 to the upper-surface 54a of the head in the manner shown. The diameter of the flange 57 is selected so that its vertically extending peripheral wall 57a is oflset radially inward from the peripheral edge 56 of the head to define an annular ledge 59 for accomodating the flap assemblies 28.

In the assembly of the container of FIGURES 7, 8., the flap assemblies 28 are pivoted radially outward to the releasing position shown at the left in FIGURE .8. The head 54 is moved into the container end closing'position with its peripheral edge 56 in tight fitting engagement with the tubular body inner wall 15. If the container other end has been closed and the container=has been filled with tobacco, the tobacco is compressed by the head as it is moved into the container closing position.

In order to maintain the head 54 in the closing position, the flap assemblies 28 are then pivoted radiallyinward intothe locking position in abutting engagement with the flange wall 57a and head ledge 59. The flap assemblies 28 engage the surface of ledge 59 on the head 54 and retain the head 54 against the upwardly urging force of tobacco or similar materials generally packed into the container under considerable pressure. As in the previous embodiments, the flap assemblies 28 are suitably dimensioned so that in the locking position shown on the right in FIGURE 8, their outer surfaces 29lie flush with the outer wall 16 of the body 11. Furthermore, the height of the flap assemblies is selected so that they lie substantially flush with the upper surface 57b of the flange 57.

In order to secure the flap assemblies in the locking position, straps 43 are positioned on the outer wall 16 of the tubular body 11 adjacent each end and are drawn tightly in binding relationship with the flap assemblies 28 being secured therein by means such as clasps 44 in:the manner of the embodiments of FIGURES 1-6. I

It can be seen that there has been provided with this invention a closure construction for a collapsible container such as a hogshead formed from component parts which are not only few in number and simple in con struction but which enable the ultimate user of a container to quickly and rapidly assemble the container, fill it with material, and close the container for shipment or storage of the material contained therein. In addition, the container parts may be readily shipped individually in an'extremelycompact form so as to utilize a minimum 'of'shipping space and permit the shipment of many more disassembled containers in the same amount of space presently required for containers commercially available today. Although the container of the invention may be readily and quickly assembled by unskilled labor without danger of misalignment, the container offers outstanding strength and ruggedness against rough handling and similar treatment which would tend to produce deterioration and it permits material such as tobacco to bestufied under considerable pressure within the container without risk of collapse of the closure construction employed on the novel container. Although the container of the invention is particularly useful as a tobacco hogshead, it has a wide range of uses such as for the storage of felt and the like and'permits the utilization of relatively weak material such as fiberboard so that the cost of the container is held to a minimum. Furthermore, the container may be used repeatedly with virtually no deterioration and may be manufactured in a wide range of sizes.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A closure construction for a container comprising, in combination, a tubular body having at least one open end, a plurality of radially spaced flaps on the edge of said body adjacent said open end, each of said flaps being folded radially inward to form a flap assembly, means for securing each of said folded flaps in said flap assembly, a head arranged to be positioned in a container closing position in said openend, a marginal flange positioned on the peripheral edge of said head, a recess in said marginal flange arranged to open radially outward, said flap assemblies being thereby pivotally arranged on said tubular body for movement between a releasing position to provide clearance for positioning said head in said container closing position and a locking position in which said flap assemblies are nested within said reams and maintain said head in said container closing position, and means on said container for maintaining said flap assemblies in said locking position within said recess.

2. A closure construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining said flap assemblies within said recess include a binding strap around said tubular body adjacent the end closed by said head.

3. A closure construction in accordance with claim 1 including a second recess on said marginal flange, said second recess being arranged to open radially inward for receiving the peripheral edge of said head and position said marginal flange on said head.

4. A closure construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said recesses are arranged in vertical, overlying relationship.

5. A closure construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein said recesses are arranged in a back-to-back relationship.

6. A closure construction for a container comprising, in combination, a tubular body having at least one open end, a plurality of radially spaced flaps on the edge of said body adjacent said open end, each of said flaps being folded radially inward to form a flap assembly, means for securing each of said folded flaps in said flap assembly, a head arranged to be positioned in a container closing position in said open end, an upstanding flange secured to said head, said flange being offset from the peripheral edge of said head to define a ledge, said flap assemblies being thereby pivotally arranged on said tubular body for movement between a releasing position to provide clearance for positioning said head' insaidcon tainer closing position and a locking position engageable with said ledge and said flange for maintaining said head in said container closing position, and removable means on said container for maintaining said flap assemblies in said locking position against said flange and said ledge.

7. A closure construction for a container comprising, in combination, a tubular body formed from paperboard and open at each end, a plurality of radially spaced, longitudinally extending score lines on said body whereby said body is polygonal in cross-section, a plurality of radially spaced, integrally formed flaps on each edge of said body adjacent said open ends, said flaps being folded radially inward of said body in a four-ply relationship to form a flap assembly pivotally connected to said body, staples in said flap assemblies to hold said folded flaps in said four-ply relationship, a substantially flat head formed from wood arranged to be positioned in a container closing position in each of said body open ends, interlocking means mounted on said circular head adjacent its peripheral edge, said flap assemblies being pivotally movable between a releasing position to provide clearance for positioning said heads in said container closing position and a locking position in engagement with said interlocking means on said head to maintain said heads in said container closing position, a binding strap around said tubular body adjacent each end of said tubular body for maintaining said flap assemblies in engagement with said head interlocking means.

8. A closure construction for a container comprising, in combination, a tubular body having at least one open end, a plurality of radially spaced flaps on the edge of said body adjacent said open end, each of said flaps being folded radially inward to form a flap assembly, means for securing each of said folded flaps in said flap assembly, a head arranged to be positioned in a container closing position in said open end, a marginal flange positioned on the peripheral edge of said head, a recess in said marginal flange arranged to open radially outward, and said flap assemblies being thereby pivotally arranged on said tubular body for movement between a releasing position to provide clearance for positioning said head in said container closing position and a locking position in which said flap assemblies are nested within said recess and maintain said head in said container closing position.

9. A closure construction for a container comprising, in combination, a tubular body having at least one open end, a plurality of radially spaced flaps on the edge of said body adjacent said open end, each of said flaps being folded radially inward to form a flap assembly, means for securing each of said folded flaps in said flap assembly, a head arranged to be positioned in a container closing position in said open end, an upstanding flange secured to said head, said flange being offset from the peripheral edge of said head to define a ledge, and said flap assemblies being thereby pivotally arranged on said tubular body for movement between a releasing position to provide clearance for positioning said head in said container closing position and a locking position engage able with said ledge and said flange for maintaining said head in said container closing position.

10. A closure construction for a container comprising, in combination, a tubular body having at least one open end, a plurality of radially spaced flaps on the edge of said body adjacent said open end, each of said flaps including a plurality of spaced parallel fold lines in peripherally extending relationship with respect to said body, the innermost fold line of each of said flaps defining a pivotal juncture between the respective flap and said body, each of said flaps being folded along the remainder of its fold lines to form a flap assembly, a head arranged to be positioned in a container closing position in the open end of said body, said flap assemblies being disposed outwardly of the corresponding innermost fold lines with respect to the edge of said body adjacent said openend for pivotal movement of each of said flap assemblies as a unit about respective innermost fold lines between a releasing position to provide clearance for positioning said head in said container closing position and a locking position for maintaining said head in said container closing position, means defining a ledge extending about the peripheral edge of said head, and said flap assemblies being superimposed on said ledge in engagement therewith when in locking position.

11. A closure construction as defined in claim 10, wherein said ledge defining means comprises a mraginal flange secured to the peripheral edge of said head, said marginal flange having a radially outwardly opening recess, a flange wall partially bounding said recess and providing said ledge, and said flap assemblies being received within said recess in superimposed engagement with said flange wall when in locking position.

12. A closure construction as defined in claim 11, wherein said marginal flange has a second recess opening radially inwardly and receiving the peripheral edge of said head for securing said marginal flange to said head.

13. A closure construction as defined in claim 12, wherein said recesses are arranged in vertical overlying relationship.

14. A closure construction as defined in claim 12, wherein said rescesses are arranged in back-to-back relationship.

15. A closure construction as defined in claim 10, wherein said ledge defining means comprises an outwardly 10 extending flange secured to the outer surface of said head and positioned radially inwardly of the peripheral edge of said head, and the portion of the outer surface of said head between said flange and the peripheral edge of said head providing said ledge.

16. A closure construction for a container comprising in combination, a tubular body having at least one open end, a head arranged to be positioned in a container closing position in the open end of said body, a plurality of flap assemblies of increased thickness with respect to said body, means hingedly connecting said flap assemblies to the edge of said body adjacent said open end, said flap assemblies being disposed outwardly of said hinge connection means for pivotal movement of said flap assemblies about their respective hinged connections between a releasing position to provide clearance for positioning said head in container closing position and a looking position for maintaining said head in container closing position, means on said head defining a ledge extending about the peripheral edge of said head in angular relation to said body, and said flap assemblies extending outwardly from said hinge connection means and radially inwardly with respect to said body in superimposed engagement with said ledge when in locking position.

2,726,803 Ketler Dec. 13, 1955 

